Some people say people that use them just don't have the proper vocabulary to express the emotions that they feel thus turning to expletives

I think that it's all nonsense.

I don't personally use them but after reading a recent post on here it kind of got me thinking about them.

If our culture didn't hold these certain words in such an evil high regard then they would just become regular words in the English language and no one would think anything of them.

It baffles me that people can be offended by four letter words.
The term four letter word (referring to swears) actually makes them sound cute...

What are your thoughts?

I think it depends on the context in which they are used. Using a "four letter word" or whatever as an exclamation of personal emotion is not a bad thing, though sometimes people over-use them when they're not necessary, but more out of habit, and that's when it degrades the word.

Also, remember that a lot of words such as the F*** word and the C*** words are not new words in the English language, and date back into history a long way e.g. Anglo-saxon etc.

Of course, people nowadays use them in an aggressive manner against other people and that is partially what has given them such a bad reputation.

They are a valuable addition to the English language and the way of expressing ourselves, but used wrongly (as many other words are by "2dayz yoof" (and some older ones)) is the issue.

Absolutely, personally I’m not that fussy about swearing etc but there are certain places I would make a big conscious effort not to, purely out of respect for others. For me, what is perceived as an offensive word is pretty much subjective; otherwise no one would ever cross the ‘dark verbal line’ because it would be deemed just too bad

Originally Posted by Karmoh

Without cursing would Gordon Ramsey be working in McDonalds

The same would apply if he’d spoken to his previous bosses like he speaks to his current staff Its funny that because its seen as a ‘right of passage’ (receiving all the shouting/bullying/intimidating) in some professions when people get any power they feel they have to show it, by guess what…yep the shouting/bullying/intimidating of junior staff members

The words in itself have no meaning anyway. Its just an expression of emotions, and however this expression might occur, people will get used to an interpretation of it. And because no on likes negative emotions, this interpretation of the expression of emotions gets disliked... if its words or any other sound/action.